siLLy puPPy Bursting out like a volcanic eruption in the early era of Norwegian second wave black metal, GORGOROTH, named after the dead plateau of darkness in the land of Mordor in The Lord Of The Rings, dropped their first full length bomb on an unsuspecting world after two blasphemous demos. The band was founded by guitarist Infernus who has been the only constant member in the band’s career as band members came and went. The debut release PENTAGRAM is the only album to feature Samoth on bass and that ghoulish underlord Goat Pervertor on drums, however vocalist Hat would stick around for one more album.

GORGOROTH takes the approach of Darkthrone’s lead and deliver a caustic assault of the senses with the classic black metal wall of sound complete with the cacophony of buzz saw guitar riffs, aggressive song structures and Hat’s classic pissed-off cat vocal style reminiscent of early Moonsorrow in their black metal years. Although he’s screaming his lungs out, the vocals are actually quite subdued in the mix as he angrily tries to out perform the metal raucous but only barely manages to pierce through. The album is actually quite short clocking in at under thirty minutes but more than makes up for it in intensity as it doesn’t let up for a second.

PENTRAGRAM will never be remembered as being the most original black metal album to come out in the second wave era but it certainly has enough punk infused attitude and addictive tracks to claw it’s way up towards the top of the attention getting pile of the era for not only do they capture the “purist’s” style of second wave black metal but were famous for following in the footsteps of fellow Norwegians Mayhem with their hatred for Christianity and their Satanic symbolism and onstage performances. While Infernus would add more experimental elements on future albums, on this one they perform a type of black metal that is about as kvlt and orthodox as you can get. Despite it though, i actually prefer hearing their version of Darkthrone to Darkthrone themselves!

Warthur The first Gorgoroth album features band founder Infernus backed up by Samoth of Emperor (shortly before he was jailed for taking part in Varg Vikernes' church-burning antics) on bass, the frenzied and energetic Hat on vocals, and the amazingly named Goat Pervertor on blast beats. It's a very brief album with, at points, an almost punkish or rock and roll edge to it; whilst it's not the sort of album to redefine the very boundaries of black metal, it's got enough energy and enthusiasm to it to make its 29 minutes an entertaining and enjoyable way to pass the time. Sometimes simple is best; it feels like at this stage of their career, to keep playing for longer or to try something more ambitious would have exposed the weaknesses of Gorgoroth's early lineup more. I wouldn't turn it off it were playing in the background, but it's not an album I'd go out of my way to listen to.